Last Day with Grandma and Grandpa

Sunday, yesterday, was our last full day with Grandma and Grandpa. After church we headed to Roti Grill for an early lunch. The best place to go with a crowd of kids. They actually really like us there! Given the mess some of the little ones make... Katharine seems to be thinking or dreaming of more Naan.

It was Keira's first time eating Indian Cuisine. She enjoyed it tremendously. She also decided the most comfortable way to sit was with one foot propped up on the side of the high-chair.

Keira ate: Honey Graham crackers, Naan, Malai Kofta, Masala sauce, rice, watermelon and mango pudding. She loved everything and was the last one to finish lunch.

Lennon let Grandpa feed him. He liked some kind of veggie fritters, chocolate pudding (his favorite today, but he will eat just about anything chocolate), rice, Naan, Masala sauce and sweet stuffed plums. Katharine and Lukas stuck to Naan and rice.

After lunch we got back into the hot car and went to Legacy Books. Grandpa had to read a lot of books. Lennon literally did not move from Grandpa's side to make sure he would get read to. Grandpa was able to sneak away for a few minutes, however, Lennon immediately noticed and ask "Baba, are you?"

The giant bean bags were a favorite.

Lukas decided it would be fun to try to stack as many bean bags as possible, though he preferred the orange ones, orange being one of his favorite colors.

"Sisters"

The bean bag tower was turned into a bean bag wall.

Last, but not least, Erik is back in Germany until Wednesday. Only 3 more days until he's back home!!!!!!!!!! However, he seems to like Germany a lot and I hope he doesn't decide to move there at some point. They are staying at some swanky hotel, but who wouldn't like that, especially if you don't have to pay for it!? This picture shows typical German old town charm. Lots of cobblestone! He took 1500 pictures on Sunday.

Dress Rehearsal and Recital, Part II & Erik

Erik sends his love to everyone. They finished up in Belgium and headed back to Germany today where they will stay until Wednesday. It looks like Erik got promoted to "assistant driver of the colonel". He is a REAL colonel (John Antol) who used to run Ft. something or other. After he retired from the army, he started working for Gearbox as a consultant.

Lukas, Gwen, Katharine and Trinity after the recital today. Again, I can't say often enough how proud I am of those kids, not just my own, but Julie's, too. Lukas was all "super-smiles" after his dance when I picked him up backstage and he got an extra hug and squeeze from Ms. Angie. Ms. Ann, co-owner of Sheena's, was also very proud of her little "turkey", which is what she calls Lukas lovingly. Katharine and Lukas were mesmerized. Lukas especially enjoyed counting all the teenage boys, which there were 5 of and 4 pre-teen boy dancers, too. What a great thing for a little boy to see. Yes, dancing is a cool thing to do for boys and it's not just for girls. Katharine liked all the dances, but did enjoy the "Boys Are Back", a hip hop dance the 4 pre-teen boys performed. Erik and I have an ongoing argument about how well these student recitals are and if you can enjoy them. I enjoyed every dance and think everybody did a great job. For a student recital it was a very good production. Erik, you missed out on something! One more thing: Our girls got to see older girls of all body shapes dance without putting a label on them. Some of them are members of the Frisco Ballet. What a great thing for them to see that you can do something well, no matter what you look. I am glad that Sheena's sets an example in the world of dancing in that regard. 

"Cool Dude"

Pretty Ballerina Girls

Grandpa and Lukas

We went to "On The Border" for lunch.

So today was the actual recital. We were not allowed to take video or pictures during the show, but we took some pictures of very happy dancers afterwards. I could not have enjoyed the recital as much as I did without the help of Ms. Angi from church who came to baby-sit Lennon and Keira. Knowing they were in loving and good hands helped a lot and was so worth the money. I am sure there will be a third installment of rehearsal/ recital pictures coming soon, so bear with me.

Dress Rehearsal and Recital, Part I

Grandma and Keira at Sweet and Sassy

We took the girls to Sweet and Sassy to get their hair done before the dress rehearsal so they look extra pretty for the photographer. They love getting their hair done, glitter in their hair and some kind of scented spray, which yesterday was cotton candy. It did smell good enough to eat! Needless to say, they did put the cat walk at the store to good use after they were done.

"Friendship"

Gwen rehearsing "Hugs and Kisses"

At the dress rehearsal: Yes, Lukas was having a nervous breakdown because he had to get into his costume. A big supersqueeze from his beloved teacher Ms. Angie helped (only Ms. Angie is allowed to give him supersqueezes).

The girls rehearsing "Supercalifragelisticexpealidocious"

Katharine was in a second dance "Mickey Mouse", but I didn't get to take pictures as I was holding Lukas.  Julie took more pictures than I did, so I am hoping that she will have some more of the kids that I can post later.

I can't say how proud I am of my kids. Katharine is a natural and all smiles and dance on stage.I can't believe my big girl has been in four recitals now!  Lukas, my introvert, overcame his fear and did go on stage. He seems to be taking one hurdle after another these days. As we were watching all the other kids rehearse, he cupped my cheek with his little hand and said "Mommy, I danced. Big boys dance, I am a big boy." It melted my heart! And yes, one boy and seven girls dancing to "Yellow Rose of Texas", guess who stole the show?

I will post some more pictures, the "after-recital-pictures" later.

Greetings from Erik

Ok, I couldn't figure out how to rotate this picture once I put it on the blog, so just turn your heads sideways. Moooooooooooo

Erik in front of one of those charming chateaus that you can find all over Europe. Looks like the perfect size house for us.

Erik in front of the so called "King Tiger" tank. Last used in WWII, with a gun longer than a mini van.

This post is all about Erik. We miss him very much and can't wait to see him again next week. So for now, I will just post some of the pictures he sent us. He's in the Bastogne (Belgium) and Germany to take lots of pictures for a new "Brothers in Arms"  game they are working on at Gearbox.

Our day was pretty eventful, but more about that after Katharine's, Lukas', Gwen's and Trinity's recital tomorrow...

Grandma and Grandpa are here!

Little girl enjoying big bread stick.

Okay, I messed up the order of the pictures here, but am too lazy to edit the post. Above is a picture of Lukas and Lennon after the tornado last night, all curled up in my be. Below is a picture of Lukas and Lennon sleeping on the floor in one of the childcare rooms at church where the kids have spent a lot of time lately while I've been volunteering for VBS and painting the nursery rooms in pretty green, yellow, pink, purple and blue - and getting some very much needed adult conversation.

Lennon after he ate the first olive.

Katharine enjoyed her apple juice, always a treat.

Trying to keep Keira still is hard work.

The kids have been counting down the days until Grandma's and Grandpa's visit and today we finally got to pick them up at the airport, with a bit of delay. We had a pretty late dinner at Olive Garden which the kids enjoyed. The were very very patient and well behaved and enjoyed lettuce (Lukas), black olives (Lennon, only after the third one did he decide he didn't really like them), whole grain pasta, ministrone soup and ice-cream sundaes along with graham crackers, baby snacks and teething biscuits. Keira had a blast trying everything she could get her hands on and Grandpa had a wonderful time keeping her busy and very happy. Grandma and Lukas had a very good conversation about the color of each leaf of lettuce he ate. Lennon shared his food with everybody and Katharine made up a few songs. I only had my phone to take pictures with, but that's better than nothing.

Aiden's Capes and Tutus Party

June 2nd was Aiden's 4th birthday party. All the kids showed up in capes and tutus. In true Martel fashion, there was a fun craft (picture frames) to work on. The kids got really creative with dot paint and craft paper.

Lennon was happy to see another baby. He kept pointing to Keira saying baby and then to Finn, Ava's little brother, saying "baby' again. He liked tickling Finn's toes.

Keira explored everything. The mini bilibos were a perfect toy.

Nolan and Lennon. Hmm.

Keira actually managed to put a dress up helmet on her head.

Katharine of course broke out in song and dance.

Later she shed a layer of clothing to be able to jump better in the bounce house. I guess tutus were not made for jumping.

The birthday boy.

Lukas

So - I am trying to figure out what to post and how to keep this blog thing as up to date as Erik does. He left for Europe today to do some research for the next game he's working on. I don't think I have an creative juices left. All that painting at church last week and inhaling paint fumes, preparing for VBS which involved inhaling sharpie fumes seems to have left my brain a big pile of mush. Yes, by now, the kids think we live at church. Over the last eight days, there was only one day we didn't go to church to do something. What is great about it is that Lukas has made some really good friends there: Danny and Jack Turner. Lukas can't wait to get there and doesn't care how long we stay, which is usually until 1 pm. He has such a blast. On top of that, we manages to toilet train him in only 4 days! Yeah for Lukas and being such a big boy now. My little guy is so proud of what he has accomplished! What seemed to help him along the most was getting some character underwear, which I thought I would NEVER get, well, it just shows that mothering requires flexibility. He's so proud to wear Star Wars boxers, that even in the smallest size 4 still fall off of him, but I better not suggest to put on some that fit better! Oh well,...Now we only have two more kids in diapers and hopefully it will be one only soon. Lennon goes to the bathroom with Lukas all the time now saying "go potty." We'll see how he does once we start when Vacation Bible School is over. Until then, the kids will get to spend a few more days with their friends and an awesome nursery staff while I get to build more trees, cacti, make rivers, grass AND enjoy some time with adults without being interrupted by a little person...I wonder when we get to go back to school? 

Wrestlemania

Lukas and Lennon seem to get along the best when they are trouncing on each other.

Flashback: June 2, 2006

Katharine's latest ballet recital is coming up next week, and here is a look back at her first. 

8:15

Katharine still goes down for bed at 8 PM every night, but recently she had started to come back downstairs claiming that she wasn't tired or sleepy. Her nightstand light is way too bright to leave on, so we bought her one of those small book lights that clamp on to a shelf or bed.

Now every night shortly after “lights out”, Katharine can be found under the dim glow of the lamp,  finishing off one more chapter of whatever book she is reading. I have my own habit of reading for at least 15 minutes whenever I get to bed, be it 10 PM or 2 AM. Like father, like daughter.